Near Stone Fly Trail
Alum Cave.
Near Stone Fly Trail
Flags marking the trail from Alum Cave to Buzzard Falls.
Near Stone Fly Trail
This is a directional sign pointing the way to the Oak Bluff Trail going west from the Alum Hollow Trail.

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Stone Fly Trail

3.0 (1 Rating)
An easier bypass of the waterfalls above the bluff.
0.5
mi
Distance
49
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
River/CreekViewsWaterfall
Access Issues
Trails within the Land Trust of North Alabama Preserve boundaries and the Oak Bluff Trail are open to the public year round from sunrise until sunset. Adjacent trails on privately owned land, with the exception of the Oak Bluff Trail, are closed during hunting season. When biking or hiking on the west side of the Green Mountain Nature Preserve during hunting season, wearing orange is recommended.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
0.49mi
Distance
49ft
Elevation Gain
45ft
Elevation Loss
15%
Max Grade
1,348ft
High Point
1,300ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The Stone Fly Trail begins on the West Plateau Loop about halfway between its intersections with the Alum Hollow Trail (the main trail in Green Mountain Nature Preserve). As of November 2017, the intersection and trail were not marked by signage. Rather, it is marked with brightly colored ribbons tied around trees. This trail stays above the bluff, so there are no sustained or steep climbs. However, there are several small creek crossings to slow things down. For the most part, the trail meanders through the woods along Alum Cave Creek (the creek that feeds Alum Cave Falls) opposite the West Plateau Loop. After the second creek crossing, the trail begins to approach the bluff and intersects with the hiking-only connector to the waterfalls. After the waterfall connector intersection, the trail continues along the edge of the bluff with views across Alum Cave Hollow as well as Wade Point until reaching the Land Trust Boundary. At the Land Trust Boundary, the trail intersects with the Oak Bluff Trail, which is on privately-owned land and is difficult to follow in autumn. There are a number of additional trails and fire roads on private property which branch off of the trail in this area, so it is easy to get lost on this side of the preserve. See Restrictions for additional information.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
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Contributors
Zack Butler